Designing Your Smile With Orthodontic Braces

Q: What would a magnificent smile do for you?A: Would it give you more self-confidence if others smiled back at you upon seeing your beautiful smile? Would you smile more knowing you have a smile that makes others glow because you smiled at them? Do you think you would have more friends because your smile made a fantastic first impression? Would you be more outgoing and fun-loving when others keep telling you, "Gee, you sure have a beautiful smile!" These are the most important reasons for having orthodontic treatment in order to correct dental-facial and cranial-facial irregularities. In addition, you will have healthier teeth and gums and will be able to chew better.

Q: What does the American Association of Orthodontics say about orthodontic treatment?
A: When you think of braces today with tiny brackets, space-age wires and trendy rubber bands in a rainbow of colors, it's hard to imagine how braces used to be. Between the ages of 5 to 7, an orthodontist should examine every child. Taking advantage of growth from ages 7 to 12 can prevent the following: future tooth decay; inflamed gums (gingivitis); a bad bite (malocclusion) causing difficulty in chewing; jaw-joint pain (TMJ); chronic headaches; and the possible permanent tooth loss to straighten teeth after the age of 12. Regardless of age, everyone can have orthodontic treatment if they have teeth.

Q: What is orthodontic treatment like today?
A: In the past, braces meant a mouth full of shiny metal. Now, clear brackets -- which don't turn yellow, break or slow down treatment -- combined with tooth-colored wires, make the braces almost unnoticeable. We now have new wires made of materials (nickel and titanium first used by NASA) that move teeth quickly with less pain because they apply less force.

Q: What are the latest advances?
A: Today, Invisalign® is a leading alternative to braces. Invisalign is a thin, clear, plastic, removable appliance that fits snuggly over the teeth. More and more adult patients -- high-profile people in the entertainment industry, in sales, in executive positions, or those who just want to go wireless -- are selecting Invisalign to help them create the smile of their dreams when they have minor tooth crowding or spaces to close.

Q: How does Invisalign work?
A: An impression is taken of the upper and lower teeth, which is then sent to Invisalign. Using 3-D imaging technology, they fabricate a series of aligners that are used to straighten the crooked teeth or close spaces between them. A series of appointments are scheduled with the orthodontist to make sure the treatment is on course. Sometimes mid-course corrections are required. The patient uses the first appliance for two weeks and then puts in the second appliance and so forth.

Q: What are the advantages of using Invisalign?
A: There are several advantages to using Invisalign: fewer appointments; the aligner may be removed while eating; and one can eat hard and sticky foods. After eating, you can brush your teeth, floss and rinse with water before reinserting the aligner is. The aligner is nearly invisible, so few will realize that you are having your teeth straightened. The aligner is worn 22-24 hours a day except when one eats, brushes and flosses. Invisalign treatment usually takes 12 months. However, time and cost vary according to the severity of irregularities and the patient's cooperation in wearing the aligner.

Q: What about temporomandibular joint disorders and braces?A: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD) may be associated with headaches, neck stiffness, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and pain and clicking in the jaw joints and many other symptoms. After TMD therapy, orthodontic treatment is often the best way to improve the bite to alleviate symptoms and improve one's smile at the same time.

Remember, only a dentist can diagnose your dental problems and offer the right treatment plan for you. If you need a dentist, call us at 1-866-970-0441 to be connected with one today.